Ingot mold



Aug. 111, 1931. T. MCNALLY 1,818,236

yIl i'zO'l MOLD ,Filed uarchvl. 1927 l if 1 F f l INVENTOR "VM Mwma,

mmm? PMM Patented Aug. 11, 1931 NETE@ SFATES THOMAS MCNALLY, F MASSILION, OHIO INGGT MOLD Application led March 18, 1927. Serial No. 176,403.

The present invention is particularly directed toward the art of metal founding, in

volving the use of ingot molds of the character in which the mold chamber is provided .5 with a bottom opening adapted to be closed during such periods as metal is being cast thereinto.

Molds of the general character herein contemplated are generally open at both the top and bottom and the plug when in position in the mold not only eects a closing of the bottom opening, but serves as an impact receiving means for the molten metal being poured into the mold. These molds are not infrequently referred to as molds of the big end up type, the finished ingot being stripped from the mold in known manner and a fresh closure applied in position.

It not infrequently happens that some portion of the molten metal will leak around the plug and serve to lock the ingotI within the mold, thereby forming what is known in the art as a sticker Such a condition may result either by reason of a defective contact between the plug and the walls of the opening in which it is inserted, or by reason of a chipping or spalling of the plug, such plugs being usually of a molded refractory material which is comparatively easily broken.

The present invention has for one of its objects to provide an improved plug adapted notonly to effect a more efficient closure for the bottom of a mold cavity but also of such construction that it may effectively cooperate with molds having openings either of different diameters or provided with irregular walls.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a plug construction of such nature that the likelihood of breaking the plug by insertion into a mold is reduced to a minimum.

In the accompanying drawings there areshown by Way of example only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that the drawings do not define the limits of my invemion as changes in the construction, design and use of the plug may be made without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through the bottom portion of an ingot mold illustrating one form of improved plug in position Y therein;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a modified form of plug;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through still another form of plug;

Fig. 4 is an edge eleva-tion of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a form similar to Fig. 4 showing still another form; and,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l illustrating still another form of plug in position in a mold.

lt is quite common practice in the use of big end up molds to strip the ingots from such molds by raising or pushing the same therefrom, or by reversing the molds and F dropping out the ingots. There it is possible for any of the metal to leak past the bottom closure, it forms a projecting` fin thereby increasing the difliculty of stripping in so far as the fin tends to interlock withV the mold.

In Fig. l of the drawings, there is illustrated the bottom portion of a mold 2 of the general character referred to, it being understood that the `mold may assume various shapes and sizes in accordance with standard practices prevailing in the art in this respect. rilhe bottom of the mold is formed with rthe usual stripping opening 3 which opening must necessarily be closed during the casting of an ingot. I

I have found that it is possible to entirely obviate the use of special tools` negative the possibility of forming cstickers, and greatly increase the ease of sealing` the bottom opening while minimizing the possibility of breakage of the closure, by a plug embodying the present invention. I

ln Fig. l the plug A is illustrated as being formed'of refractory material and provided with a wall 4 tapered to providesides adapted to conform to the angularitv of the sides of the opening 3. Preferably the maximum it will project a slight distance into the mold cavity as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and as illustrated in the patent to McNally 1,540,269 of June 2, 1925.

The plug is also preferably so dimensioned with respect to the thickness of the mold walls that when in operative position in a mold it will not project below the bottom thereof. This enables the mold to be supported in any desired manner as will be well understood. Neither of these features, however, is essential to the use of the present invention.

The plug A is illustrated as being formed with a circumferentially extending groove or recess a into which is adapted to be placed a suitable packing 5, this packing being of any suitable material such, for example, as asbestos libre. The packing, irrespective of whether it is of ire-resistng material such as asbestos, or whether it is of combustible material, slow-burning, or otherwise, is placed in position in the recess in the plug, and the plug then forced into the opening 3.

The packing tends to readily conform to the contour of the walls of the opening 3 and thereby effectively seal the space between the plug and the mold against possibility of leakage. At the same time, it forms a cushion between the plug and the mold which protects the plug during its insertion into position whereby the likelihood of breakage is considerably reduced.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a slightly modified embodiment of the invention in which the plug B is provided with a recess I) corresponding to the recess a but of slightly different shape. The plug C of Fig. 3 illustrates a recess c of still different characteristics. These figures are inserted for the purpose of showing that the packing receiving recess may take any one of a large number of different shapes, the invention not being limited in this respect.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there are illustrated further modilications of the invention, the plug D of Fig. 4 being provided with a bottom portion (l of materially smaller diameter throughout its length than the diameter of the main body of the plug, while the plug E of Fig. 5 has a bottom portion e merging into the main body by a tapered intermediate portion 6.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a plug F having at a suitable intermediate point thereon, a projecting rib rI`he rib f serves in the capacity of inclined port-ion 6 of Fig. 5 or the shoulder 7 of Fig. 4 to confine a suitable packing material therebelow as clearly indicated in Fig. 6.

It will be noted that in all forms of the invention, the plug is provided at some intermediate point with an abrupt change of section adapted to cooperate with a packing material whereby not only is the packing material held in position but also in such manner that it is protected against the direct action of the molten metal. In actual practice, it has been found that even should the packing slowly burn out under the action of the metal, by the time the packing is suiiiciently destroyed to permit leakage, the metal is solidified to such an extent that such action does not take place.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that by reason of the use of a plug of the general characteristics disclosed herein, the frictional resistance to insertion and removal of the plug is reduced to a minimum, whereby both of these operations are facilitated.

Certain advantages of the present invention arise from the provision of a plug so shaped as to cooperate with a packing material. Other advantages of the invention arise from the provision of a plug having an abrupt change of section intermediate its ends adapted to confine a packing material in predetermined position and protect the same against the temperature of the metal being cast.

Still further advantages of the invention arise from the combination of an ingot mold and a bottom closure therefore in which a yielding packing is provided intermediate the plug and mold.

' Iclaim:

1. A breakable plug for ingot molds having a packing receiving portion provided thereon, and a packing cooperating with said portion and providing a yieldable seat for said plug.

2. A plug for ingot molds, comprising a tapered body of refractory material having` a packing receiving portion provided thereon, and a packing cooperating with said portion forming a yielding seat for said body entirely around the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

'TI-IO MAS MGNALLY. 

